New Delhi: The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved three multitracking railway projects covering parts of West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, with an estimated investment of ₹10,783 crore.
The projects will add approximately 656 km of new railway lines to the existing Indian Railways network and are targeted for completion by 2029–30. The approved projects include:
- Kharagpur–Jharsuguda (Bagdehi): 4th Line
- Katni–Pendra Road: 4th Line
- Bilaspur (Uslapur)–Pendra Road: 3rd Line
The projects will strengthen rail connectivity across 14 districts and are expected to benefit around 4,790 villages, with a combined population of approximately 56 lakh.
The additional rail capacity is aimed at decongesting busy routes, improving operational efficiency and enhancing the reliability of both passenger and freight services. The projects will also help improve connectivity to key economic and industrial centres across the five states.
The identified railway corridors are particularly important for the transportation of major commodities, including coal, cement, iron and steel. The capacity augmentation is expected to facilitate an additional 27 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of freight traffic, supporting industrial activity and strengthening supply chains.
The multitracking projects are also expected to generate greater economic opportunities in the regions they pass through while improving mobility for local communities. By expanding rail capacity on strategically important routes, the projects are aimed at supporting faster, more efficient and sustainable movement of passengers and goods across eastern and central India.